The Mange-Tout grocery store
PHOTO JOSIE DESMARAIS, THE PRESS
Luka Lecavalier and Zachary Eberts, from the Mange-Tout grocery store
While neighborhood grocery counters with ready meals and Quebec alcoholic products have multiplied in Montreal in recent years, the Mange-Tout grocery store is the first one to include… a fishmonger’s and a sandwich bar!
“We just sell what I like to eat,” says Luka Lecavalier (formerly of Lucille and Arthurs Nosh Bar).
It was on a golf course that he and Zachary Eberts decided to combine their talents to open Mange-Tout last December with Gabrielle Nasri. “During COVID, I was doing home delivery. I like serving customers instead of grumpy chefs,” Zachary jokes.
Guaranteed decadence: the flank steak and cheese sandwich. Otherwise, know that Sugar Sammy is entitled to special assemblies, so maybe you are too.
“My girlfriend and I love having sandwiches and going to Parc Girouard just opposite for a little picnic,” says Sugar Sammy.
5854 Sherbrooke Street West
Jean Brillant Market
PHOTO JOSIE DESMARAIS, THE PRESS
Sugar Sammy chats with the manager of the Jean-Brillant Market.
“What I like about Queen-Mary and Côte-Sainte-Catherine is that there is perhaps no other place in Montreal where there are so many businesses open 24 hours a day,” says argue Sugar Sammy.
The Pharmaprix, the Metro grocery store, the Second Cup, on Côte-des-Neiges Road, never close, while the essential Jean-Brillant Market remains open from the end of March to the beginning of November. .
“For 42 years,” proudly states manager Nathalie Tremblay, spouse of one of the members of the Trottier family, owner of the market.
At one time when he was going to bed later, Sugar Sammy regularly came here to shop overnight amidst late-term students and workers from the three nearby hospitals.
“There is a brotherhood here. It’s such a sparkling neighborhood,” says Nathalie Tremblay, who assures that her market offers “the best possible prices”.
Angle Jean-Brillant and Côte-des-Neiges road
Tropical Paradise
PHOTO JOSIE DESMARAIS, THE PRESS
Sugar Sammy with owner Kazim Ali and his son Asad Ali
In the “well-hidden secret and storefront that doesn’t look like much” category, the Tropical Paradise, located on the Décarie highway access road, wins hands down.
The Caribbean establishment opened nearly 25 years ago and business is booming, says owner Kazim Ali, as his son Asad makes a fist bump at Sugar Sammy and customers asking to have their picture taken with him.
“We can’t complain. We have a loyal clientele. When people taste our dishes, they come back. Our only strategy is to make good food. No need to advertise. »
THE roast are very popular, but also jerk chicken, curry dishes and fish.
“Our specialty is everything on the menu,” summarizes Kazim Ali.
5208 Decarie Boulevard
Solomos
PHOTO JOSIE DESMARAIS, THE PRESS
Sugar Sammy chats with John Giatras and George Moussis of Solomos.
“I don’t know who this guy is. Sour Sammy? jokes George Moussis, manager of Solomos, when we arrive. No doubt, Sugar Sammy is a loyal customer of the business on Queen Mary Road, which specializes in a single type of fish: excellent quality salmon from New Brunswick.
Fact: smoked salmon literally melts in your mouth.
“How long in the smoking room?” And the spices?
“It’s our secret,” replies co-owner John Giatras.
Sugar Sammy has eaten a lot of fish and seafood since sharing his life with his girlfriend on a pescetarian diet.
Of Polish origin, Nastassia Markiewicz would be perfect if she did not come from Toronto, joke her lover for almost 10 years. “I converted it to Montreal,” he says.
5453 Queen Mary Road
So Poong
PHOTO JOSIE DESMARAIS, THE PRESS
Sugar Sammy at So Poong
“I discovered Korean food when I was living in Paris. As I say all the time, the best food in France is ethnic food. »
It’s runny, but it’s true: Sugar Sammy prefers spicy dishes to those cooked in butter.
Upon their return to Montreal, at the start of the pandemic, Sugar Sammy and his girlfriend embarked on a mission: to find the best Korean address in Montreal. When they tasted So Poong’s dishes, they stopped searching.
“I like kitchens that are not at top of mind. And I want to find the rare pearls”, underlines Sugar Sammy.
Fans of kimchi, ramen or bibimbap, you have been warned.
5385 Queen Mary Road